Future Islands, Jenny Besetzt

Following their explosive 2014 album Singles, Baltimore's Future Islands have put out a record that tests their ability to blend synth-pop with indie rock. The Far Field, released earlier this year, is a record that prides itself in pulsing basslines and booming synthesized choruses, but there is a new quiet washing over these tracks. Songs like "Ran" use soft chords, slapping snares, and frontman Samuel Herring's growling and grandiose singing to plant a familiar seed. A benefit of this record being on the more sentimental side of Future Islands' discography is its ability to tell a clear story. "Beauty Of The Road" uses plucking instrumentals, bright keys, and a gritty bassline to explain heartbreak caused by living on tour. Future Islands' tuned-down and simplified approach to songwriting has its drawbacks, as some tracks tend to bleed together with similar-sounding melodies, but the tracks that stand out on the record allow for a more emotional experience. Indie-rock group Jenny Besetzt will open the night with their dark, thunderous, and hypnotizing strain of synth-pop.—John McCracken